No poems about how clogged and greasy thine lover’s ear is. No movies about how fascinating and dynamic it is. There is not a single-hour long television drama where the primary plot is driven by anything having remotely to do with earwax.

So what’s good about it?

Plenty good, it turns out. Earwax, the common name for the yellowish liquid secreted by the cerumen glands, assists in cleaning and lubrication, protects the ear canal, and can also serve as a flypaper like buffer system to keep out insects, dirt and debris. Like most secretions it serves a useful, if not sexy function in maintaining proper body function.

But what if you have too much?

Hearing loss problems can be the result. Not only can an excess of hearing loss block the aural cavity and cause conductive hearing loss, it is the culprit in an estimated 70% of hearing aid malfunctions.  Luckily for sufferers of conductive hearing loss for whom this is the primary issue, there are treatments available. Jaw movement can loosen wax, so chewing gum or talking can help. Wax can be softened with olive oil or syringed with warm water. One common practice which is actually counterproductive is use of a cotton  swab: while they remove a small portion of wax that happens to adhere to the swab, they actually push 95% of wax further into the ear canal.

Because of this, and earwax’s function in ear health, in 2008 the American Academy of Otolaryngology issued new guidelines advising against removing earwax unless it is causing health issues. If you are suffering hearing loss from too much earwax, you may want to consult a doctor to determine the best course of action.